ETSU blanked by Bulldogs, 2-0

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Sept. 24, 2021) – The ETSU Women’s Soccer team opened its 2021 Southern Conference slate on Friday night against The Citadel at Summers-Taylor Stadium. The league opener did not go the way the Bucs had planned as the Bulldogs secured the 2-0 shutout victory.

Despite recording six of their 10 shots in the second half, the Bucs were unable to overcome the first-half, two-goal deficit.

RECORDS
With the loss, the Bucs fall to 3-2-2 on the season, including 0-1-0 in SoCon action. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs improve to 7-2-0 (1-0-0 SoCon).

Shu Ohba (Fujisawa, Japan) recorded three saves in goal for the Bucs, but dropped to 3-2-2 on the season after allowing two goals in her first SoCon competition. The Citadel’s Jess Newton recorded five saves on the game, registering her fifth shutout of the season.

MATCH SUMMARY
The Citadel controlled the tempo early and did not let up, recording six of the game’s first nine shots. It was the Bulldogs’ sixth shot of the contest that found the back of the net as Jordyn Geller flicked the ball into the back of the net off the assist from Susuka Yosue in the 25^th minute. Just four minutes later, Yosue connected on her own goal, lacing a shot from outside the box that found the corner of the net for the 2-0 advantage.

The Bucs did not fold, coming out of the halftime firing at the goal. Katie Philips (Tega Cay, S.C.) and Nele Bauer (Bammental, Germany) forced Newton to make a pair of saves in the 50^th and 51^st minute, adding the pressure to The Citadel defense.

Newton continued to turn away the Buccaneer attack, including a save off Momoko Horiuchi (Paris, Tenn.). Horiuchi corralled the ball just outside the six-yard box and looked to cut into the ETSU deficit. However, Newton stoned the shot with a kick save, stymieing the Buccaneer attack in the 67^th minute. ETSU was unable to muster any final chances, dropping the SoCon opener to the Bulldogs.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The Bucs were outshot 12-10, including 6-5 in shots on goal
• The Citadel received five corner kicks compared to just one for the Bucs
• Bauer led the Bucs in shots with three, followed by Philips and Horiuchi with two apiece
• Philips also picked up a yellow card in the 55^th minute of action

UP NEXT
The Bucs aim to bounce back on Sunday when they play host to Mercer at 6 p.m. at Summers-Taylor Stadium.

For more information on Buccaneer Women's Soccer, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the women's soccer page.